
FREE RESOURCES & SUPPORT DIRECTORY
It's okay to ask for help. It's never too late to turn things around. Check out these FREE Australian support resources, including 24/7 crisis phone counselling.
Call 000 if you need emergency care.
THE CLOUD GP'S FREE DOWNLOAD RESOURCES
FIRST STEPS TO OVERCOMING DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Mental Health Action Toolkit
You've got your MHCP from your GP and booked to see a psychologist... now what??? You don't want to wait around twiddling thumbs. Let's set you up for success, create realistic expectations and get the ball rolling with some practical advice to keep you well while you wait.
LET'S GET CONNECTED
Australian Mental Health Directory
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Youth WellbeingKids Helpline 1800 551 800 24/7 telephone counselling for kids and young people aged 5-25 years old. Someone to listen, provide practical help and emotional support. Online and email services available. www.kidshelpline.com.au Affiliated app - Niggle, a kid’s toolkit for mental, social and emotional wellbeing. www.kidshelpline.com.au/niggle eHeadspace 1800 650 890 Telephone mental health services for young people aged between 12-25 years old. A safe space to talk things through and obtain mental wellbeing support. Online and email services available. www.headspace.org.au The BRAVE Program An online self-directed program helping manage anxiety, suitable for those 8- 17 years old. Based on cognitive behavioural therapy and aimed at supporting young people and their parents in times of worry. www.brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au Bite Back – Black Dog Institute An online psychology program designed to improve resilience in youth aged 13-16 years old. Helping increase overall wellbeing and decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. www.biteback.org.au Smiling Mind An app teaching mindfulness meditation to young people and adults, encouraging the integration of mindful practice into everyday life. www.smilingmind.com.au Bullying, No Way! Providing support to young people and their families with resources and activities for a proactive approach to bullying prevention and response. www.bullyingnoway.gov.au ReachOut Support for young people under the age of 25. There in tough times to help maintain positive mental well-being. www.reachout.com Affiliated app - BreakUp ShakeUp, a useful tool to aid the development of coping skills after a breakup. www.au.reachout.com/tools-and-apps/breakup-shakeup eSafety Commissioner Tips on how to stay safe online. Information and resources to help manage cyberbullying, the pressures of social media and reporting image-based abuse. www.esafety.gov.au
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Antidepressant medicationAntidepressant medication NPS MedicineWise From the National Prescribing Service, an up-to-date, comprehensive and reliable resource about antidepressant medication in the treatment of Depression and Anxiety. Questions about how they work, types, side effects and efficacy all answered. Consumer and product information on individual medications also available. www.nps.org.au/consumers/antidepressant-medicines-explained Your Health in Mind (RANZCP) From the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, expert information about antidepressant medications in an easy to understand and condensed patient-friendly format. Basic information one should be aware of before commencing medication. www.yourhealthinmind.org/treatments-medication/antidepressant-medication
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Crisis Support/ Phone CounsellingLifeline 13 11 14 24/7 telephone crisis support service. Talk to a trained crisis support worker to access suicide prevention services, mental health support and emotional assistance. Online counselling available. www.lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 224 636 24/7 telephone crisis counselling for people going through a tough time or experiencing mental health issues. There to offer support, advice, and directional guidance. Online and email counselling available. www.beyondblue.org.au Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 24/7 telephone crisis support for people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide or experiencing mental health issues. Online and video counselling available. www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au 1800Respect 1800 737 732 24/7 telephone counselling for people impacted by sexual assault, abuse and domestic or family violence. Advice on safety planning and support service referral available. www.1800respect.org.au Sane Australia 1800 187 263 Telephone counselling services providing support, information and referral to those experiencing psychological distress, trauma and mental health issues. Email and online services available. www.sane.org FriendLine 1800 424 287 Telephone services for anyone wanting to have a chat, helping combat loneliness and encouraging social connection. Online services available. www.friendline.org.au
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Men's Mental HealthMensline 1300 789 978 A 24/7 telephone counselling service supporting men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence, addiction, relationships and general wellbeing. Online services available. www.mensline.org.au Direct Advice for Dads (DADs) A collation of advice and tips for expecting dads, new dads, and dads with young children. Articles and podcasts include topics on postnatal depression in men, parental burn-out and anger management. www.directadvicefordads.com.au Dadvice A website from Beyond Blue connecting dads with tips and advice. An emotional health and wellbeing guide covering men’s mental health during pregnancy and early parenthood included. www.healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/pregnancy-and-new-parents/dadvice-for-new-dads The Line Resources to support young men, promoting positive respectful relationships and challenging the pressures to man up or bond over disrespect to women. www.theline.org.au
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Eating DisordersInside Out - Institute for Eating Disorders Fact sheets and information to help increase knowledge and awareness of Eating Disorders www.insideoutinstitute.org.au also included the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire EDE-Q - complete and print out your results prior to your GP appointment for an Eating Disorder Plan insideoutinstitute.org.au/resource-library/eating-disorder-examination-questionnaire-ede-q The Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Telephone and online support counselling. Providing information and services for those with eating disorders and body image symptoms. Moderated online support groups and healthcare professional database access. www.butterfly.org.au Reach Out and Recover - ROAR An interactive website platform to support those who have symptoms of eating disorders or are who are feeling distressed secondary to aspects of eating or body image. Included resources identify steps to treatment and long-term recovery. www.reachoutandrecover.com.au Feed Your Instinct – FYI (Carer focus) An interactive tool designed to support parents of children and young people experiencing different types of eating and/or body image problems. Modules and checklists are aimed at identifying common warning signs and increasing knowledge. www.feedyourinstinct.com.au Eating Disorders Victoria Hub 1300 550 236 Information, resources and real-life stories of those who have recovered from eating disorders and their practical advice. Telehealth counselling available to those in Victoria. www.eatingdisorders.org.au National Eating Disorders Collaboration A curated information resource with guides, tips and journal articles to help support those with eating disorders. www.nedc.com.au
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ATSI ResourcesiBobbly (Black Dog Institute) A social and emotional wellbeing self-help app for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 years and older. Helping manage thoughts and feelings while building resilience to overcome feelings of sadness. www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/digital-tools-apps/ibobbly Yarning SafeNStrong 1800 959 563 A 24/7 telephone counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Established by Victorian Aboriginal Health Services (VAHS) the program is aimed at those who may be feeling down, isolated, or in need of a yarn with culturally aware counsellors. www.vahs.org.au/yarning-safenstrong WellMob A digital library of culturally relevant wellbeing resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples curated by health workers within the community. Videos, apps, podcasts and links to a multitude of resources building emotional and social wellbeing. www.wellmob.org.au
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LGBTQIA+QLife 1800 184 527 LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about their sexuality, identity, gender, body, feelings, and relationships. Online services available. www.qlife.org.au PFlag Information, videos and resources for parents, families and friends on gender, body and sexual diversity. Information translated to a multitude of languages encouraging acceptance and acknowledging cultural diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community. www.pflagaustralia.org.au Say it Out Loud Online tools and information encouraging healthy relationships amongst the LGBTQIA+ community. Resources providing support for those in unhealthy relationships or those wanting to help a friend. www.sayitoutloud.org.au Touchbase Real people sharing real stories from the LBGTQIA+ community. Information and resources on mental health, sexual health and substance abuse. www.touchbase.org.au
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Find a psychology providerAustralian Psychological Society A useful and practical tool to help search for a psychologist, allowing categorisation of special interests, location and therapeutic approaches. Individual profiles provided, many disclosing fees, appointment availability, and services offered. www.psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist *Check out our free downloadable MHCP Preparation Resource (see Resources) which includes some important considerations and tips when trying to find a new psychologist.
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Fertility, Pregnancy, Postnatal and Parenting SupportPanda 1300 726 306 Telephone counselling services for new and expecting parents. Information and wellbeing checklists to support those experiencing depression and anxiety, encouraging positive family mental health. www.panda.org.au MUMspace Supporting emotional and mental wellbeing during and beyond pregnancy. Online treatment programs for antenatal depression, postnatal depression and anxiety. www.mumspace.com.au Sands 1300 308 307 24/7 bereavement telephone counselling services. Support for families following the death of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Information through real stories and resources to help cope with feelings of grief and loss. www.sands.org.au COPE - Centre for Perinatal Excellence, Managing Mental Health and IVF Information for those who may be experiencing the stress of infertility and the IVF journey. Advice on managing feelings, navigating relationships and connecting with special interest psychology services. https://www.cope.org.au/planning-a-family/happening/mental-health-and-ivf/ Parents Beyond Breakup 1300 853 437 Supports parents experiencing trauma related to family breakdown and separation. Information, advice, peer-support, and telephone counselling to help manage expectations, emotions and reactions. www.parentsbeyondbreakup.com BabySteps An online program to improve the mental health of new parents, both mums and dads. Information on how to care for a newborn while supporting healthy relationships and maintaining one’s own sense of self and wellbeing. www.babysteps.org.au
*The summary and review of the health services listed above is intended for information purposes only. Persons experiencing any symptoms should seek professional medical advice in the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of any mental health condition. Whilst many of the services and resources mentioned are government funded, health practitioners and users should independently investigate, evaluate and verify the content and credentials of any service or resource before choosing to use it. The services and resources listed in this guide are not exhaustive and are primarily Australian based.
Last updated August 2023.